Meta Researchers Expose Alleged Cover-Up of VR Child Harm Risks

Meta Covered Up Potential Child Harms, Whistleblowers Claim Two former Meta safety researchers testified before a US Senate committee on Tuesday, alleging that the social media giant covered up potential harms to children stemming from its virtual reality (VR) products. Jason Sattizahn and Cayce Savage, who once led research on the youth user experience for Meta's VR platforms, told senators that the company demanded researchers erase evidence of sexual abuse risk on those products. They also alleged that the company instructed in-house researchers to avoid work that could produce evidence of harm from its VR products to children. "We have chosen to ignore the problems they created and bury evidence of users' negative experiences," Sattizahn said during the hearing. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, denies the allegations. In a statement, the company referred to the "claims at the heart" of the hearing as "nonsense." The whistleblowers' allegations come a day after The Washington Post reported that Meta lawyers intervened to shape internal research that could have flagged risks. Background and Context Meta's VR products, including Oculus, have been criticized for their potential impact on children. In 2020, a report by the UK-based charity, Ofcom, found that children were exposed to explicit content on VR platforms. The allegations against Meta are part of a broader trend of tech companies facing scrutiny over their handling of user data and safety concerns. Additional Perspectives Dr. Lisa Thomas, a child psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley, expressed concern about the potential impact of VR products on children's mental health. "Children are still developing their sense of self and boundaries, and exposure to explicit content can be particularly damaging," she said. Current Status and Next Developments The US Senate committee is expected to continue its investigation into Meta's handling of user safety concerns. The company has faced increasing pressure from lawmakers and regulators over the past year. As the tech industry continues to evolve, experts say that companies must prioritize transparency and accountability in their research and development processes. Meta's response to the allegations highlights the need for greater oversight and regulation of the tech industry. As one senator noted during the hearing, "The public has a right to know what is happening with their data and how it is being used." In a statement, Meta said that it takes user safety concerns seriously and is committed to transparency in its research and development processes. However, the whistleblowers' allegations raise questions about the company's commitment to prioritizing user safety over profits. As one senator noted during the hearing, "The American people deserve to know the truth about what is happening with their data." Latest Developments In a statement released after the hearing, Meta said that it would continue to cooperate with regulators and lawmakers to address concerns about user safety. The company also announced plans to increase transparency in its research and development processes, including the release of more detailed information about its VR products. However, experts say that more needs to be done to hold tech companies accountable for their handling of user data and safety concerns. As one senator noted during the hearing, "This is not just a matter of corporate responsibility; it's a matter of public trust." *Reporting by Bbc.*